Alperen Sengun delivered a masterclass with 43 points and 12 rebounds on Thursday, November 14, 2026, leading the Houston Rockets to a 125-118 victory over the Utah Jazz in the NBA Cup.
The win lifts Houston to a 10-3 record overall and 1-1 in group play, while extending Utah’s miserable slide to 11 consecutive losses, dropping them to 1-12 on the season. The game stayed close early, tied 27-27 after the first quarter, before the Rockets seized control behind nine points from Sengun in the second frame to take a 63-53 halftime lead.
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Sengun shot an exceptional 17-of-24 from the field, marking just the second 40-point game of his career. His previous personal high came in 2024 when he scored 45 points against the San Antonio Spurs. His interior dominance anchored the Rockets on a night when Kevin Durant struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with 22 points on 5-of-14 shooting.
Utah mounted a furious comeback in the second half, energized by Keyonte George, who scored 10 of his 27 points in the third quarter alone. The visitors whittled the deficit down to 92-89 heading into the final period and stayed within striking distance, getting within two possessions in the final minute.
The Jazz attack also featured Darryn Peterson with a team-high 28 points and Ace Bailey with 21 points. Yet those offensive contributions could not stop another collapse, leaving Utah searching for answers after a stretch that has yielded only one victory since opening night against New Orleans.
Durant sealed the outcome in the dying seconds by sinking two clutch free throws, preserving the three-game winning streak for Houston. The Rockets have two remaining matches left in their group schedule, while the Jazz continue to search for a breakthrough following eleven consecutive defeats.
Earlier coverage: Alperen Sengun Scores 43 as Rockets Beat Jazz 125-118 in NBA Cup
